Blending technology and artistry, careers in the video game industry are dynamic, creative, and rewarding. Driven by technological innovations, increasing player demand, and an expanding gaming platform market, the gaming industry offers consistent growth and opportunities for professionals across many roles.
Game design requires specialized skills that often overlap with development. With skills and knowledge gained from a game design degree program, graduates can pursue design, engineering, special effects, testing, and numerous other careers. Digital designers and software developers earn median annual wages of $98,540 and $132,270, demonstrating the lucrative options in the industry.
Undergraduate students can complete a game design degree in four years, averaging $14,688 in tuition yearly. Graduate game design programs typically span about two years and average $20,513 per year.
How to Choose a Game Design Program
Choose your area of study
Game design degree programs prepare students for a variety of video game careers, many of which require specialized skills and knowledge. It’s important that a program or area of study aligns with student goals and provides the necessary training for careers in game design.
Arts and fine arts programs typically best suit students who want to pursue the creative side of game design. A Bachelor of Fine Arts in game design program provides students with interactive media training that hones their skills in storytelling, visual design, animation, and other digital art aspects. Similarly, a Master of Fine Arts in game design program emphasizes artistic and creative elements but at a more advanced level. Students in these tracks often progress to careers as concept artists, game designers, and special effects artists.
Science-focused game design programs like computer science emphasize the technical skills required for game design and development. Undergraduate computer science programs typically offer game design as a minor rather than a major, and coursework integrates creative game design with advanced knowledge in computer programming, artificial intelligence technology, and mathematics. Graduate programs may offer game design and development as a concentration emphasizing development skills. This path leads to careers in game engineering and development.
Research schools and programs
As you begin your research, prioritize accredited schools and programs. Regional accreditation verifies academic quality per the Department of Education’s standards and is generally required to access federal financial aid. Most institutions only accept transfer credits from regionally accredited schools, and many employers prefer applicants with accredited education.
Search for verification status on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). Prospective students can search school and program websites for more information about accredited curriculums. Admissions counselors may also provide additional guidance and direct you to in-person or virtual information sessions, campus tours, and other resources.
Prepare for tests and applications
Although admissions standards may vary, most institutions require a combination of the following for undergraduate or graduate students:
- Application form and fees
- Transcripts
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Personal essay or statement
- Resume or CV
- SAT or ACT scores for undergraduates
- GRE or GMAT scores for graduates
- TOEFL (for students educated in a non-English language)
Some schools or programs may require undergraduate students to complete a year of general studies or specific prerequisite courses before they can declare a major and access major-specific game design courses. Additional graduate program requirements may include a related undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, a game design portfolio, or professional experience.
Select your program
Consider your needs and goals as you select a program and its options and opportunities. School location, course delivery options, faculty, curriculum details, and other factors may affect student decisions.
For example, many students have careers or other obligations to balance with their education and may prefer online, self-paced, or other flexible course options. In contrast, students who benefit most from immersive and hands-on education may prefer course delivery and curriculum that includes instructor and peer interaction, internships, or work co-ops.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Regardless of financial circumstances, students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This program assesses student funding needs and awards loans, grants, scholarships, and other assistance. Financial aid officers and admissions counselors can provide information about tuition, financial assistance options, and other details to help inform student funding needs.
Students can also research needs or merit-based funding opportunities from businesses, non-profit foundations, and other organizations. Some employers offer tuition assistance benefits for eligible students to improve the skills of their workforce. Depending on their program and curriculum, students may supplement their funding needs with income from work studies, co-op positions, assistantships, and fellowships.
Best 50 Accredited Game Design Degree Programs
Discover More Options
How we rank schools
This list features some of the best game design degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for on-campus students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of game design degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect From a Game Design Program?
An undergraduate game design degree program equips students with the creative and technical skills needed for various roles across the video game industry. These programs blend computer programming, sound and audio, writing, visual art, and other disciplines to enable students to design and produce games.
Most undergraduate degree programs require about 120 credits of core and elective coursework, which typically takes about four years. Some program curriculums may also include mandatory internships, capstone research, or game design projects.
In graduate degree programs, students study game design and development at an advanced level. Students engage in theory and hands-on application coursework and may participate in work experience opportunities. Most curriculums culminate in a final game design project or thesis to demonstrate their fulfillment of program outcomes. Graduate programs require between 30 and 60 credits, typically spanning about two years.
Students with a passion for design should also check out graphic design programs, as this may be a better fit for your personal interests and career goals.
Potential courses you’ll take in a game design program
- Video Game Programming. This course presents computer programming concepts and methods through the lens of video game development. Topics may include application programming interface structure, input schemes, and content pipelines that build a functional graphics engine.
- Computer Graphics Foundations. In this study of software and hardware for interactive graphics, students gain an understanding of basic computer graphics concepts, 2D and 3D modeling, rendering techniques, kinetics, motion capture, and graphics systems. This course often blends programming fundamentals, algorithms, and other topics into coursework.
- Digital Audio Production. This course explores the techniques and technologies to produce digital audio. Coursework typically covers digital audio recording and production, synthesis techniques, and digital audio applications for multimedia game production.
- Game Concept Development. Students conceptualize, design, and develop games, often completing a game demo as a final project. This course prepares students for the game design and development lifecycle by incorporating level design, user experience and interface, game mechanics, and other details.
Game Design Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to a game design degree program?
Institutions typically feature a web-based applications portal that guides students to submit forms, materials, fees, and other application requirements. Admissions counselors can verify application deadlines, requirements, and fees and can also provide additional insights that can help strengthen your application.
How much does a game design degree cost?
Tuition and fees for an undergraduate program average $14,688 per year, and graduate programs average $20,513 annually. On-campus room and board can increase undergraduate fees to $27,673 but may provide savings on housing, food, and other off-campus living costs.
Course delivery method and cost of materials can also affect your total expenses. Scholarships, grants, loans, and other funding resources can reduce the amount students pay upfront.
How long does it take to earn a game design degree?
Undergraduate programs usually require about 120 credits and four years of full-time study. Graduate programs require between 30 and 60 credits and typically take two years. Part-time, self-paced, or accelerated programs can affect the total duration of the degree.